27 September 1996

Doc. 7405

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on agriculture, rural development and the problem of

desertification in the Mediterranean Basin

presented by Mr SCHEER, Germany, SOC

and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly considers that agriculture has an important role to play in the economic development of the Mediterranean Basin and can contribute to the social stability of the region.

2.       It is concerned at the increasing deterioration of the environment in the Mediterranean Basin, which is a fragile region with limited water and soil resources, and particularly at the adverse effects of desertification on agricultural production.

3.       The Assembly is alarmed at the deterioration and disappearance of farmland owing to this problem, which presents a potential threat to food security and agricultural and rural development in Mediterranean countries.

4.       It considers that a correlation exits between desertification and major social problems such as poverty and lack of food security, and problems caused by migration and demographic development. Any political unrest would only increase the major disparities which still exist between the different countries making up the Mediterranean region.

5.       The Assembly welcomes the initiative of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in organising, in conjunction with the Mediterranean Committee of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), the Second Mediterranean Agricultural Forum. This forum was held in Jerusalem (Israel) on 12 and 13 December 1994 to discuss the strategies to be implemented in an effort to combat desertification for the sake of existing and future generations.

6.       The Assembly therefore invites the governments of member states, particularly those of Mediterranean countries:

      i. to give top priority to agricultural and rural development in order to increase food security and promote harmonious development between urban and rural regions; policies of sustainable agricultural development, adapted to local conditions, would put a stop to the deterioration of the environment and, in particular, to the spread of desertification;

      ii. to define an overall policy to combat desertification, in view of the complex nature of this problem, which would include social, economic and technical measures to be implemented as part of a concerted plan of action on the part of national communities;

      iii. to integrate these measures in an overall strategy for food security and sustainable economic development of the region;

      iv. to increase co-operation between Mediterranean countries in the area of agricultural development, to ensure the success of the envisaged policies, as well as co-operation between intergovernmental institutions and farmers' organisations, such as the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (ICAMAS) and the International Federation of Agricultural Producers.

Signed:

Scheer, Germany, SOC

Couveinhes, France, EDG

Jeambrun, France, LDR

Szakál, Hungary, EDG

Mackie of Benshie, United Kingdom, LDR

Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR

J. Thompson, United Kingdom, SOC

Hurta, Czech Republic, SOC

Moser, Bulgaria, EPP

Szymanski, Poland, SOC

Fenner, United Kingdom, EDG

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Fischer, Germany, EPP

Seeuws, Belgium, SOC

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left